The iconic photograph of Donald Trump, bloody and defiant, surrounded by security officers in the aftermath of an assassination attempt, will likely go down in history for fully summing up who he is, what he believes in and how he seeks to reshape American politics and society. The events of July 13 only reinforced the public image he has honed over the past decade as president and candidate: a no-holds-barred macho populist who – driven by his business acumen and conservative values – challenges the liberal establishment and promises to make America great again.
The photograph, however, is much bigger than the man, as it captures the deepest political and ideological dynamics in the United States over the last 40 years. In fact, one could argue that Trump has been so successful in politics because he skillfully utilized key aspects of the culture, economy, governance, power, and personal values that have shaped American life since Ronald Reagan’s presidency in the decade. 1980.
Entertainment (especially sex, sports, and reality television), digitized communications, cults of personality, free market economics, global dominance, and unlimited personal aggrandizement and wealth accumulation have captured American minds while compressing and crush low- and middle-income communities.
Bringing elements of the entertainment world into politics has been Trump’s trademark and helped him win over vast swaths of the US electorate. His ability to captivate crowds was on full display on Saturday.
When security guards surrounded him and tried to take him to his van to leave the arena, he resisted. He stood up and raised his fist, shouting “Fight, fight!” The enthusiastic crowd responded: “USA! USA!”
Trump didn’t look much different from the beaten wrestlers at the wrestling shows he loves and in which he himself participated. His punches and chants were not only a show of defiance, but also a performer’s trick to whip his audience into a frenzy and ensure they came back for more at the next show (or donate to his campaign).
This is how the new mercantile policy works in America. Spectacle and excitement attract audiences and advertisers, regardless of whether the subject is a presidential assassination attempt or a dramatic fight between fighters.
By utilizing his entertainment skill set, Trump has already attracted enough voters from all segments of society to recreate the Republican Party in his image. His personality and streamlined doctrines are on full display at this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. It is quite indicative that Dana White, head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, whose events Trump frequently attended, will speak shortly before the Republican presidential candidate on the fourth day of the convention, July 18.
As Trump basks in all the media attention in Milwaukee, some observers have begun to raise questions about political violence and polarization.
The shooting at Trump’s rally cannot be seen as unusual in modern America, where gun violence and extreme political rhetoric are prevalent. However, the high-profile target gave it more drama and sent the mainstream media into its usual hysteria of wondering why a country as good as the United States suffers this type of local political violence.
This was not another 9/11, or an attack by the big three “foreign threats” of China, Russia or Iran. This was indigenous terrorism. Where did it come from? Some analysts, academics and media experts argue that something big has changed in the US in the last 40 years, which has affected the way individuals engage in society, relate to others and express their feelings.
The Reagan-Trump journey, they say, reached its peak today with the triumph of “political cult”, “political tribalism”, “identity politics” or “strong leaders”. All of these and other expressions capture the dynamics of men and women in the United States, whose traditional community-based lives have changed dramatically.
Mass “social decay and despair” continues to spread among Americans, writes journalist Chris Hedges, and leads some to embrace Trump as their savior. They feel isolated and ignored by society, threatened by immigrants or suffer economic difficulties. So they cling to leaders who promise salvation and give them a voice, echoing their grievances against liberals, the media, the government and foreigners.
In this sense, it is not surprising that journalists reported that Trump supporters shouted obscenities at them after the shooting, and even tried to break into the press enclosure at the event. Their wounded warrior hero leader encouraged them to keep fighting, and they did.
And this was unprecedented. For months, the press at most Trump events had their own security guards because, in America’s current tribal culture wars, they have been defined by both the right and the left as part of the problem.
Significantly, the cult of Trump took on an even more religious tone after Saturday’s events. Supporters and fellow Republican politicians, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have invoked “divine intervention” to explain how Trump survived the shooting. They spoke of the miracle of God, of the presidential candidate being protected by the “armor of God,” and that God saved him so that he could defeat the forces of evil in society.
It remains to be seen whether this religious mobilization will help Trump in the November vote. Much will depend not only on him exploiting the assassination attempt – which he certainly will – but rallying his loyal base and expanding it among swing voters who appreciate his fighting spirit. Much will also depend on Joe Biden’s ability to conduct presidential business despite making embarrassing mental and verbal lapses.
Another factor will certainly be the American Muslim and Arab American communities, whose intense anger at Biden’s enthusiastic support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza triggered an organized revolt against voting for him in the primaries earlier this year, especially in key swing states. And it’s not just these minority communities; according to researches, about 38 percent of voters are less likely to vote for Biden due to his policies toward Israel-Palestine. Given these realities, Biden’s chances of defeating an emboldened Trump appear doubtful.
Whatever happens in November, one thing is certain: the iconic image of Trump raising his fist and bleeding from his ear will continue to be a symbol of an era in American politics, defined by spectacle and populism, where images, emotion and the universal human being the search for mystical saviors triumphed over political options and consensual decision-making. The disorienting impact of free market economics and entertainment values on ordinary men and women who are worried and don’t know where to turn will continue to drive voting patterns for years to come.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
